Yes, you are correct, however that's a different sort of straight line: it is the shortest distance between two points, but it isn't the most easily navigable l

Yes, you are correct, however that's a different sort of straight line: it is the shortest distance between two points, but it isn't the most easily navigable line. The navigable ones are lines of constant bearing, since a ship could/can set their compass and make adjustments to hold it "straight" rather than having to do the computations required to follow a great circle.